2013 Press Releases

In Beijing, Bolen, Other GA Leaders Welcome APEC Policies for Business Aviation

Beijing, China, September 9, 2013 – Business aviation in China and across the Asia-Pacific region reached an important milestone with the recent approval of a core statement of principles for the industry’s development by Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transportation Ministers, which will strengthen the foundation and growth of business aviation, and the benefits it brings.

That was the report from National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen at a press conference NBAA hosted in Beijing to welcome the new APEC principles. Bolen had joined APEC ministers when the principles were unveiled in Tokyo on Sept. 6. Joining Bolen at the Sept. 9 Beijing event were Mr. Kevin Wu, chairman of the Asia Business Aviation Association (AsBAA); Mr. Kurt Edwards, director general of the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and Mr. Edward Smith, senior vice president, international & environmental affairs for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Asia-Pacific nations are among the fastest growing in the world, with ever-accelerating rates of inbound and outbound investment. The upswing in business activity in the region has increased the demand for prompt, reliable access to business destinations throughout China and across the Asian region.

At their September 2013 APEC session, APEC transportation ministers agreed to a statement of principles in recognition of the benefits of fostering regional expansion of business aviation. The statement outlines specific tenants for, and benefits of, a regional framework to support business aviation development.

NBAA and the partnering aviation groups present with Bolen in Beijing have been continually working with APEC officials to ensure the guidelines produce the regulatory regime for business aviation to operate in a safe, secure and standardized manner – which in turn will benefit citizens, companies and communities across the Asian region.

“Recognition by APEC that business aviation operations should be treated as non-commercial, with the freedom to fly among all of the economies of the region, is essential to the growth of this vitally important mode of transportation in today’s global business environment,” Bolen said at NBAA’s Beijing press event.

“As has been proven in the United States and other parts of the world, where business aviation travels, investment follows,” Bolen added.

AsBAA Chairman Wu said: “This will accelerate the opportunities for companies and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the many benefits business aviation provides for achieving business success in China and elsewhere in the region.”

IBAC Director General Edwards noted: “These principles are also important because they are consistent with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations body responsible for jurisdiction over international civil aviation regulations governing airspace routing, and safety and security processes for international and inter-regional air transportation, including business aviation operations.”

GAMA’s Ed Smith added: “Business aviation offers flexibility and efficiency, two critical ingredients for business success in today’s fast-paced business environment. The APEC principles are an important step in accelerating the growth of business aviation in China and around the region.”

The new framework will foster the growth of an overall regulatory regime that promotes aviation mobility, flexibility and efficiency – thereby helping promote business investment, job creation, tax-revenue production and other benefits created by a robust business aviation sector.

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 9,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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